1. They no longer rely on a big man up front

Previous Stoke sides, particularly under Pulis, based their success on a hulking great centre forward to score their goals.

This resulted in their leading marksmen being such players as Peter Crouch, Jonathan Walters and Kenwyne Jones. Not the sort of goalscorers that invite neutral support.

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This season, however, technically gifted forward Marko Arnautovic leads the way with seven goals. Though still physically dominant, the Austrian adds skill and excitement that previous Stoke forwards – like Peter Crouch – have not offered…

Incredible performance boys ! No wonder I can't get a run out ??? #STKEVE

2. Direct play and aggression is not their main game-plan

The use of the classic big man up front under Pulis was complimented by a direct style of play, but this season the stats show that Stoke have gone down a different route.

Only three teams (Arsenal, Manchester City and Bournemouth) play less long balls per game than Stoke while 15 teams have scored more goals from set pieces than the Potters, who used to be famed for battering sides with routines.

The leg break suffered by Ramsey has driven a wedge between Stoke and Arsenal fans, but this season Stoke have received only the 18th most yellow cards and 12 teams commit more fouls per game than Hughes’s side.

3. They will provide England’s next No.1

Jack Butland is arguably the Premier League’s most important goalkeeper (Picture: Getty)

Joe Hart has gone too long without any real competition for his England place, despite going through spells of making mistakes that should not be associated with an international keeper.

Jack Butland is that competition and he is in pole position to replace the City stopper.

Signed by Pulis, but coming to the fore under Hughes, Butland has made more saves (and passes) this season than any other Premier League goalkeeper

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He is as important to the success of his side as David De Gea and Petr Cech are to theirs and, at just 22 years old, he has a good 15 years left in him.

4. The resurrection of Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes has a point to prove at Stoke (Picture: Getty)

The Welshman was humiliated when sacked as Manchester City manager in 2009, brutally cast aside by City’s new owners in favour of Roberto Mancini.

Seemingly drawn to clubs with trigger-happy owners, disappointing spells at Fulham and QPR followed before Stoke came calling.

The Potters became an established Premier League club under Pulis, though they won over few neutrals with their style of play. Hughes has changed that.

Victories over his former clubs Manchester United and Chelsea and ex-employers City haven’t hurt his progress either.

5. The Staffordshire Barcelona

Bojan, Arnautovic and Shaqiri are a dynamic front three for Stoke. (Picture: Getty)

This is only a slight exaggeration. Well, OK, a major exaggeration. But they have real stars in their side now.

The front three of Arnautovic, ex-Barca wonderkid Bojan and Xherdan Shaqiri, formerly of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, have shown and played key roles in defeats of the division’s top sides.

Their neat interplay is supported by a firm back four that Pulis would be proud of and a tight midfield three that allow the front three room to roam and cause havoc.

To cap it off, they can score some decent goals, too: see Shaqiri against Everton and Arnautovic against United.